BARGAIN Hunt’s Charles Hanson put on “an act” in friendly video messages to his wife but his behaviour was “really controlling”, she told a court.
Jurors at the telly auctioneer’s trial were yesterday shown clips sent to Rebecca of him with people he met while working.
But she said: “It’s a TV personality, it’s an act.”
In another video filmed by Hanson at the couple’s home, he rearranged the furniture thinking his wife would be “pleased”.
She accused of him of playing “mind games”, the court heard, and she said: “He’s doing exactly what he wants without my consideration.
“He knew I would not be pleased.
“He got what he wanted knowing I did not want this.”
Rebecca alleges his abuse started when she was pregnant in 2012.
Hanson, 46, of Mackworth, Derbys, denies controlling or coercive behaviour and assault.
The trial at Derby crown court continues.
THE top ten most affordable areas for first time buyers have been revealed.
County Durham in the North East of England has been named the cheapest areas for first time buyers to secure a home, according to new figures by Halifax.
This is because the average first time buyer paid £142,248 for their home in 2024.
It means households would need a deposit of a minimum of just £7,112 to secure this home, if they secured a mortgage with a 5% deposit.
Burnley has also been ranked as a very accessible area for first-time buyers to purchase a home, with the average person paying £146,076 for their property.
Buyers could secure a typical home in this area with a 5% deposit of £7,303.
These types of mortgage deals mean a buyer only needs to put down 5% of the property price as a deposit when purchasing a home.
Not everyone will be able to get a 5% deposit, but some lenders will let you apply through schemes such as the mortgage guarantee scheme as long as you meet certain conditions.
This means they can secure a mortgage for the remaining 95% of the cost, often referred to as a “95% loan-to-value (LTV)” mortgage.
However, it is worth noting that interest rates could be as higher on these mortgages, because lenders consider smaller deposits to be riskier.
Other areas named as cheap for first-time buyers include the Isle of Anglesey, where the average buyer paid £151,747 for their home.
Pendle has also been flagged as an attractive area for wannabe buyers with property owners typically paying £151,710 for a home.
You can see the top ten areas for first time buyers below:
Figures by Halifax show the number of first-time buyers jumped by 19% in 2024 versus the year prior.
The group said the typical cost of a first home is £331,034, and the average first time buyer is 33, which is two years older than a decade ago.
Toby Leek, president of Propertymark, said: “It’s positive to see that the number of first-time buyers coming to the housing market is on the up.
“However, from the tail end of 2024, this is likely, in part, due to the Stamp Duty rises commencing in England and Northern Ireland from April.”
Rising house prices have piled pressure on first-time buyers who are also dealing with a mixture of wage stagnation and hikes to the cost of daily living.
Meanwhile, extra stamp duty relief available to first-time buyers since 2022 will end in April 2025.
As a result, a first-time buyer purchasing a property valued at £425,000 will incur a stamp duty charge of £6,250.
A glimmer of hope can be found in the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the Bank of England’s rate-setters, cutting the base rate from 4.75% to 4.5% last week.
The base rate is used by lenders to determine the interest rates offered to customers on savings and borrowing costs.
A base rate cut can mean that mortgage rates are lowered, which is good news for homeowners.
Earlier this week, Santander launched a two-year and five-year fix with a rate of just 3.99%.
It’s the first sub-4% mortgage on the market since November last year.
GETTING on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home.
Help to Buy Isa – It’s a tax-free savings account where for every £200 you save, the Government will add an extra £50. But there’s a maximum limit of £3,000 which is paid to your solicitor when you move. These accounts have now closed to new applicants but those who already hold one have until November 2029 to use it.
Help to Buy equity loan – The Government will lend you up to 20% of the home’s value – or 40% in London – after you’ve put down a 5% deposit. The loan is on top of a normal mortgage but it can only be used to buy a new build property.
Lifetime Isa – This is another Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to £32,000 towards their first home. You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add 25% on top.
Shared ownership – Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount. You can buy anything from 25% to 75% of the property but you’re restricted to specific ones.
Mortgage guarantee scheme – The scheme opens to new 95% mortgages from April 19 2021. Applicants can buy their first home with a 5% deposit, it’s eligible for homes up to £600,000.
THE referee was forced into disciplining fans during Luke Littler’s Premier League darts victory in Glasgow.
The 18-year-old world champion saw off Luke Humphries 6-5 in the final to win night two of the competition.
But the match was not without controversy due to shocking fan behaviour inside Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena.
A group of supporters interfered with play by annoyingly whistling while both men were at the oche.
Humphries, who was struggling with a cut on his finger, and Littler were both seen getting increasingly frustrated by the distracting noises.
And then in a crucial moment with the score 4-4, Cool Hand appeared to be impacted by the crowd.
Humphries needed 119 to checkout but managed just 59.
He shook his head towards referee Kirk Bevins, who then angrily shouted down the microphone: “Stop whistling”.
However, it had the opposite affect and more fans then joined in.
It put off Littler, who stepped up to the board needing just 45 but busted his score.
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Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle said: “That person needs to be careful because Kirk can do kung-fu.”
After the whistling continued, he added: “Why is this person not ejected?”
His colleague in the commentary box replied: “I’m not sure it’s just the one.”
Sky Sports reporter Abigail Davies tweeted: “Yet again, well done to those who paid good money to go and watch the best darts players in the world put on a show and actively contributed to them not delivering their absolute best by whistling.
“Really clever, that. There is no way you can be a fan of the sport if you do that.”
Fans also took aim at the Glaswegians on social media, with one saying: “Easily the worst crowd – absolute weapons whistling and everyone joining in when told to stop.”
Another added: “Seriously someone has to sort out this whistling at the darts. Just kick the scruffs out! Gonna keep happening if nothing is enforced.”
After his win, Littler referenced the atmosphere, saying: “It was a weird final. We both weren’t playing well.
“Now and again I look up at the screen and we’re on a 90 average. The crowd got involved.”
Gerywn Price was also the victim of the whistles in his semi-final loss to Humphries earlier in the night.
Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29